Armored Shield

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to ballistic shields or armored shields. More particularly, the instant invention relates to mechanical adaptations of such shields which incorporate view port and ballistic glass pane or transparent panel components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ballistic or armored body shields which incorporate a laminated strata of resin bound ballistic fibers are known. Such shields commonly include an upper head or face covering portion, which includes a view port. Such shields are also known to mount a ballistic glass pane or panel within the view port.

To reduce weight and to enhance compactness, ballistic shields often configure their ballistic glass panel component for a closely fitted and nesting receipt within the shield's view port. Such configuration in addition to promotion of weight savings and structural compactness, promotes mechanical simplicity through utilization of the view port's peripheral edge as a glass panel retainer which resists outward movements of the glass panel. However, such nesting installation of a shield's ballistic glass within the view port undesirably creates structural seams between the outer edge of the ballistic glass and the view port's peripheral edge. Such seams constitute weak points within the ballistic shield which threaten penetration by high velocity projectiles.

Where a shield's ballistic glass component is nestingly mounted within the shield's view port, mounting brackets are necessarily provided to prevent frontward and rearward movements of the glass panel within the view port. Such mounting brackets commonly incorporate, combinations of fasteners and fastener receiving eyes which introduce additional seams, further threatening penetrations by high velocity projectiles.

The instant inventive armored shield protects against ballistic projectile penetrations at and through such view port associated seams by a specially configured pair of interconnected brackets, a forward bracket among the pair being “C” configured, and the rearward bracket being “L” configured.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first structural component of the instant inventive armored shield comprises a first ballistic panel. In a preferred embodiment, an upper portion of the first ballistic panel forms a head guarding section, and a low portion forms a torso guarding section, such sections being sized respectively for covering or forwardly shrouding a user's head and torso. In a suitable embodiment, the first ballistic panel component is between ½ inches and ¾ inches thick, and includes 70-90 stratums or layers of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene fibers. Suitably, the first ballistic panel may be composed of aramid fibers. In a preferred embodiment, such fibrous stratums are rigidly held in a laminated or stratified configuration by a hardened resin matrix to form a ballistic composite panel.

A further structural component of the instant inventive armored shield comprises a view port which extends through the first ballistic panel, the view port having front and rear ends which open respectively at the first ballistic panel's front and rear sides or surfaces. The ballistic panel surface which bounds and defines the view port comprises a panel inner edge, such surface suitably forming and incorporating a plurality of inwardly opening fastener receiving channels.

A further structural component of the instant inventive armored shield comprises a second ballistic panel which is preferably closely fitted to and is nestingly received within the view port. In the preferred embodiment, the second ballistic panel is composed of ballistic glass and is transparent.

A further structural component of the instant inventive armored shield comprises a “C” bracket having a web, the web having front and rear ends. The “C” bracket component comprises a front arm which cantilevers inwardly from the front end of the web, and further comprises a rear arm which cantilevers inwardly from the rear end of the web. Each of the “C” bracket's arms preferably has proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends being fixedly attached at opposite ends of the “C” bracket's web component. In a preferred embodiment, the distal and inwardly extending end of the “C” bracket's front arm positions a rear surface of such arm end in close contact with the peripheral outer surface of the outer face of the transparent second ballistic panel. Such overlying or overlapping contact of the “C” bracket's outer arm distal end advantageously allows such arm to function as a retainer flange. The retainer flange function of the “C” bracket operatively resists forward movements of the transparent second ballistic panel out of the view port. In a preferred embodiment, each of the front arm, rear arm, and web components of the “C” bracket forms a loop which extends about the first ballistic panel's view port extends about the second ballistic panel.

A further structural component of the instant inventive armored shield comprises an “L” bracket having a column portion having front and rear ends, and having a foot portion having proximal and distal ends. Similarly with the “C” bracket's outer arm whose distal end forwardly overlies the ballistic glass panel, an inwardly extending distal end of the “L” bracket's foot overlaps or rearwardly overlies the peripheral outer end of the rear face of such panel. Such overlapping relationship between the rear face of the invention's second ballistic panel and the “L” bracket's foot allows the “L” bracket to function as a second retainer flange which resists rearward movements of the such panel out of the view port. In the preferred embodiment, the “L” bracket's foot forms a loop which extends along the outer periphery of the inner end of the second ballistic panel. In such embodiment, and upon a configuration of the “L” bracket's column as a flange or wall, such column may similarly form a loop which extends about the second ballistic panel. Upon an alternate configuration of the “L” bracket's column to include a series of lugs or posts, such lugs or posts form a looping array of ties which, similarly with the alternative wall or flange configured “L” bracket column, extends about the second ballistic panel.

Further structural components of the instant inventive armored shield comprise first fastening means which fixedly and rigidly interconnect the front end of the “L” bracket's column and the distal end of the “C” bracket's rear arm. Such fastening means suitably comprise threaded connectors which incorporate internally helically threaded and externally helically threaded fasters halves. For example, fastener halves may comprise screws or threaded shafts in combination with threaded nuts or threaded sockets.

In a preferred embodiment, the “C” bracket's outer arm is composed of durable steel, allowing such arm to function as a projectile suppressing strike face. Where such preferred “C” bracket's front arm is provided, the “C” bracket's web and rear arm may be formed wholly with each other and may be composed of a relatively light weight and durable material such as aluminum. Upon provision of such weight saving “C” bracket components, second fastening means are preferably provided for rigidly interconnecting the front end of the “C” bracket's web and the outer or proximal end of the “C” bracket's front arm. The second fastening means may suitably alternatively comprise a second wholly formed joint at the juncture of the front end of the “C” bracket's web and the proximal end of the “C” bracket's front arm. Upon a provision of such wholly formed second fastening means, the first fastening means are preferably of the type which are capable of operation from the rear of the shield. For example, such first fastening means may comprise a plurality of helically threaded sockets which open rearwardly at the distal or inner periphery of the rearward face of the “C” bracket's rear arm, in combination with a forwardly extending screw component of the “L” bracket's column.

In operation of the instant inventive armored shield, and upon an impinging contact with a rearwardly traveling high speed ballistic projectile, such projectile may strike the “C” bracket's preferred steel strike face configured outer arm. Such outer arm necessarily forwardly covers or shrouds the seam between the first and second ballistic panels, advantageously allowing the steel structure of the “C” bracket's outer arm to resist any through passage of the projectile along such seam. The invention's forwardly overlying “C” bracket outer arm may also protectively shroud the first fastening means, protecting such means' components such as screw heads, threaded nuts and threaded sockets.

The respective positioning of the invention's first and second fastening means at the distal end of the “C” bracket's rear arm, and at the proximal end of the “C” bracket's front arm displaces those fasteners inwardly and outwardly away from each other. Such displacement of fasteners isolates the seams associated with such fasteners from each other, advantageously providing additional protection against ballistic projectile through passage or penetration.

Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of an armored shield which incorporates structures as described above, and which arranges those structures in relation to each other in the manners described above for the performance of and achievement of beneficial functions as described above.

Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the detailed description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive armored shield.

FIG. 2 re-depicts the structure of FIG. 1, the view of FIG. 2 showing a transparent ballistic panel component and mounting components removed.

FIG. 3 is a separate view of a ballistic glass pane or transparent ballistic panel component of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a “C” channel rear arm stratum component.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of internally or wholly formed “C” channel web and “C” channel rear arm components.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a “C” channel front arm component.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view as indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the FIG. 1 structure.

FIG. 9 is an alternate exploded view of the FIG. 1 structure.

FIG. 10 is an alternative sectional view, as indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 re-depicts the structure of FIG. 10, the view of FIG. 11 showing an impinging ballistic projectile.

FIG. 12 re-depicts the structure of FIG. 11, the view of FIG. 12 showing a further passage of the ballistic projectile.

FIG. 13 presents an alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 10, the view of FIG. 13 showing a post configuration of an “L” bracket column component.

FIG. 14 presents another alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 10, the view of FIG. 14 showing a wall or flange configuration of the “L” bracket column component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive armored shield is referred to generally by reference arrow 1. The armored shield 1 comprises a first ballistic panel 2 having an upper head shielding portion 3 and having a lower torso shielding portion 5. Handle mounting apertures 6 extend through the panel 2.

In a preferred embodiment, the first ballistic panel 2 is composed of a strata of resin impregnated ballistic fibers such as UHMW polyethylene fibers or aramid fibers. Between 70 and 90 of such ballistic fiber stratums or layers are suitably provided, resulting in a laminated ballistic composite panel between ½ inches and ¾ inches thick.

Referring to FIG. 2, the instant inventive armored shield 1 preferably further comprises a view port 4 which extends through the first ballistic panel 2, such port opening at the panel's front and rear sides. The view port 4 is peripherally bounded by an inner edge 7 of the first ballistic panel 2. Such edge 7 may suitably form a plurality of inwardly opening fastener receiving channels 8, the functions of which are further discussed below. In an alternative configuration, fastener receiving eyes (not depicted within views) may be formed at the periphery of the view port 4 in lieu of the fastener receiving channels 8.

Referring further to FIG. 3, a thick ballistic glass pane or panel 10 is provided, such panel necessarily being transparent and constituting a second ballistic panel component of the invention. Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 7 and 8, the transparent ballistic panel 10 may be nestingly received within view port 4. In the preferred embodiment, such panel 10 is fitted for receipt within the view port 4, such receipt creating a seam 11 there between. The seam 11 suitably widens at channels 8 for receipt of fasteners, the seam 11 incorporating or including the channels 8. Between its widened sections 8, the seam 11 is preferably relatively narrow and is closely fitted to the inner periphery of the view port 4.

In the preferred embodiment, the transparent second ballistic panel component 10 of the instant invention comprises a laminated strata whose stratums include transparent layers of tempered glass, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyvinyl butyral resin, monolithic acrylic, or thermo-plastic polyurethane film, and including adhesive binding agent stratums. The outer end or outer edge 12 of the transparent second ballistic panel 10 faces outwardly and extends in a closed loop about the periphery of the panel to form, in conjunction with the similarly looping inner view port surface 7 of the first ballistic panel 2, the closely fitted and fastener channel forming seam 8,11.

A further structural component of the instant inventive armored shield comprises a “C” bracket which, referring to FIG. 7, is referred to generally by reference arrow 29. The “C” bracket 29 preferably comprises a web 20 having front and read ends. The “C” bracket 29 further comprises a front arm 30 and a rear arm 22. The front arm component 30 of the “C” bracket 29 preferably has a proximal end 33 which is fixedly attached to the front end of the web 20. The “C” bracket further comprises a rear arm 22 which similarly has a proximal end fixedly attached to the rear end of the web 20. The distal or inwardly extending end 35 of the “C” bracket's front arm 30 preferably forwardly overlies the outer peripheral edge of the front face of the ballistic glass panel 10 in an overlapping configuration. The overlying relationship between the distal end 35 of the “C” bracket's front arm 30 and the front of the second ballistic panel 10 advantageously allows the invention's “C” bracket 29 to function as a first glass panel retainer flange which resists forward movements of the glass panel 10 out of the view port 4.

Referring to FIG. 10, the “C” bracket's rear arm 22 extends distally and inwardly from the rearward end of the “C” bracket's web 20. The rear surface of the web 20 and the rear surface of the rear arm 22 are preferably coplanar, such surfaces closely forwardly overlying the front surface of the first ballistic panel 2 at periphery of the view port 4. Such rearward “C” bracket surfaces advantageously provide a base for stable support of the “C” bracket 29.

A further structural component of the instant inventive armored shield 1 comprises, referring to FIG. 7, an “L” bracket which is referred to generally by reference arrow 37. Referring further to FIG. 8, the “L” bracket 37 suitably comprises a column portion which is suitably configured as a forwardly extending array of externally helically threaded lugs 38. The “L” bracket 37 preferably further comprises a foot 36 having a proximal or outer end fixedly attached to the rearward end of the lugs configured column 38, and has an inwardly extending distal end. Such distal or inwardly extending end of the “L” bracket's foot 36 preferably rearwardly overlies the outer peripheral edge of the rearward face of the second transparent ballistic panel 10. Similarly with the inwardly extending distal end 35 of the “C” bracket's front arm 30, the distal end of the “L” bracket's foot 36 overlaps the rearward end of the transparent ballistic panel 10 to function as a retainer flange. Accordingly, the front arm 30 of the “C” bracket 29, in combination with the foot 36 of the “L” bracket 37, effectively capture the transparent ballistic panel 10, resisting any forward and rearward motions thereof with respect to the first ballistic panel 2.

Further structural components of the instant inventive armored shield 1 comprise first fastening means which interconnect the front end of the “L” bracket's column and the distal end of the “C” bracket's rear arm 22. Where the “L” bracket's column comprises a looping array of helically threated lugs 38, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first fastening means may suitably comprise a combination of such lugs' helical threads and mating internally helically threaded nuts 23. Upon screw tightening of nuts 23 over the lugs 38, the “C” bracket's rearward arm 22 is drawn rearwardly against the front face of the first ballistic panel 2. Such screw tightening of nuts 23 simultaneously draws the “L” bracket's foot 36 forwardly against the rearward face of the ballistic panel 2. Such screw actuated foot and arm drawing actions effectively capture and hold the “L” bracket 37 and the rear arm 22 of the “C” bracket 29 at the positions depicted in FIG. 7.

In a preferred embodiment, the front arm 30 of the “C” bracket 29 is composed of durable carbon steel, enabling such arm to function as a ballistic projectile suppressing strike face. In a suitable embodiment, the proximal end 33 of the “C” bracket's front arm 30 is formed integrally with the front end of the “C” bracket's web 20, the juncture of those two “C” bracket components comprising a wholly formed joint (not depicted within views). Such wholly formed joint may suitably comprise a second fastening means component of the invention. Upon the inventions' incorporation of such wholly formed joint, each of the arm and web components and portions of the “C” bracket 29 may suitably be composed of durable carbon steel.

Notwithstanding, referring to FIGS. 7-9, in the preferred embodiment of the invention second fastening means are provided in the form of a plurality of helically threaded sockets 28, and a plurality of forwardly aligned eyes 34, such eyes and sockets receiving a plurality of helically threaded screws 41. Upon provision of such preferred second fastening means, the seams which annularly surround screws 35 within eyes 34 and within sockets 28 are advantageously displaced and isolated outwardly from the seams within eyes 26 which annularly surround threaded lugs 38. Such outward displacement and isolation of the “L” bracket's and “C” brackets eyes and seams advantageously assures that a rearwardly traveling ballistic projectile will be incapable of following a fastener seam completely through the shield.

While inward extension of the “C” bracket's front arm 30 allows the such bracket to function as a glass panel retainer, such arm extension performs further important functions by virtue of its overlying coverage of the seam 11. Similarly with the projectile suppression provided by the relative inward/outward positions of seams within eyes 26 and 34, the overlying position of the “C” bracket's front arm 30 with respect to seam 11 suppresses projectiles which may follow a trajectory directed toward such seam. Where the arm 30 is composed of durable carbon steel, as is preferred, the projectile spall suppression facilitated by such arms includes a projectile spall generating and dispersing effect, as explained below.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, it may be seen that the web 20 of the “C” bracket 29 is spaced outwardly from the first fastening mean's helically threaded nuts 23. Such web 20 also has a height dimension or forward extension sufficient to hold the front arm 30 at the depicted forward position beyond the forward surfaces of the nuts 23. The web's forward extension allows the front arm 30 to form and define a nut housing space 31 while simultaneously performing the ballistic glass panel retaining function. Such dual functions accommodate a glass panel thickness markedly greater than the front to rear thickness of the ballistic panel 2, and such thickness differential symbiotically prevents interference between the nuts 23 and the front arm 30.

The rear to front height dimension of the “C” bracket's web 20 advantageously facilitates sequential assembly steps wherein the “L” bracket 37 may be initially placed within view port 4. Then the eyes 26 of the “C” bracket's rear arm 22 may be placed over the “L” bracket's threaded lugs 38 so that such lugs forwardly extend through eyes 26. Thereafter, nuts 23 may be tightened over the lugs 38. Such assembly steps may securely clamp the inner edge of the first ballistic panel 2 between the “L” bracket's foot 36 and the “C” bracket's rear arm 22.

Thereafter, the transparent ballistic panel 10 may be slidably inserted rearwardly into the view port 4 until its rearward surface rests against the front surface of the “L” bracket's foot 36. Thereafter, the “C” bracket's front arm 30 may be extended over the forwardly extending transparent ballistic panel 10, causing the front end of such panel to rest against the rear surface of the front arm 30, and causing eyes 34 of the front arm 30 to align with the “C” bracket web's threaded sockets 28.

Thereafter, mounting screws 41 may be extended through eyes 34 and may be tightened within the threaded sockets 28 which open at the front end of the “C” bracket's web 20. Where the “C” bracket's front arm 30 includes the preferred durable carbon steel composition, other components of the “C” bracket 29 including the web 20 and rear arm 22 are preferably composed of relatively light aluminum for purposes of weight reduction.

Referring to FIG. 10, the nut housing space 31 preferably comprises an inwardly opening “C” channel which extends about or loops around the outer edge 12 of the ballistic glass panel 10. The “C” channel and the “C” bracket's front arm 30 may advantageously function together as projectile spall dispersing and generating elements. In the event an armor piercing projectile impinges against and penetrates the “C” bracket's front arm 30, the preferred durable steel composition of such arm may advantageously break the projectile, transforming it into multiple spall fragments. Such projectile spall may immediately spray and disperse rearwardly within the hollow void 31. Subsequent high velocity impacts of such spall fragments against various interior surfaces of the void 31 are markedly less capable of materials penetration than the intact projectile.

Where such projectile follows a trajectory which threatens a penetrating through passage following the seam 8,11, the steel composition of the “C” bracket's front arm 30 in combination with the projectile spall dispersion space 31 work together to prevent such penetration. Differently aimed projectiles which follow a trajectory which threatens impingement outwardly from such seam are similarly suppressed by the spall generating and dispersing effects of the arm 30 and the underlying space 31. The front-to-rear dimension of the “C” channel configured projectile spall dispersion space 31 is preferably at least ½ inch, such dimension allowing sufficient spall dispersion prior to subsequent spall fragment impacts.

Referring further to FIGS. 11, a high velocity projectile 62 may approach the first ballistic panel 2 at an angle, as indicated. Such angular trajectories threaten an initial impingement against an outer surface of the web component 20 of the “C” bracket 29, as indicated. Where such web component is composed of light-weight aluminum, as is preferred, neither the “C” bracket's web 20 nor its rear arm 22 will provide sufficient projectile suppression resistance, and such “C” bracket components may allow a partial penetration along angled path 60. If such angularly traveling projectile were permitted to progress rearwardly from the “C” bracket's aluminum rear arm 22 and into the interior matrix of the first ballistic panel 2, a through passage of the projectile may be threatened due to diminished ballistic projectile penetration resistance provided by the ballistic panel 2 at its edges, such as the periphery of the view port 4.

To lessen penetration threats occasioned by such angular projectile impingements, the rear arm 22 of “C” bracket 29 preferably comprises a layered strata including the arm 22 and a rearwardly underlying spring steel stratum 14. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner periphery of such stratum 14 preferably presents fastener passage slots 18 which may forwardly overlie and align with the fastener passage channels 8 of the first ballistic panel 2.

Upon such rearwardly and inwardly directed impact of projectile 62, the nose of such projectile may initially pierce “C” bracket arm stratum 22 to impinge against the front face of such arm's spring steel stratum 14. Upon such impinging contact, the inner end of such spring steel stratum may flexibly bend or deform rearwardly into the underlying ballistic composite matrix of the first ballistic panel 2.

Referring further to FIG. 12, during such impingement of the projectile 62 against the spring steel stratum 14, and during such stratum's rearward deflection from its normal FIG. 11 configuration to the FIG. 12 deflected configuration, the front-to-rear vector component of the velocity of the projectile 62 may be advantageously reduced to zero with respect to the ballistic panel. Simultaneously with such reduction of the front-to-rear component of the projectile's velocity, the projectile 62 may angularly rebound or carom at its point of contact with stratum 14. Accordingly, the projectile 62 may be advantageously redirected by the spring steel stratum 2 relatively harmlessly, inwardly into the outer surface 12 of the second ballistic panel 10, as indicated in FIG. 12.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 10 and 13, all structures identified in FIG. 13 by a reference numeral having a suffix “A” are configured substantially identically with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 10. In the FIG. 13 configuration, the helically threaded lugs 38 configuration of the column of the “L” bracket 37, shown in FIG. 10, are modified to alternatively comprise a series of posts 43. Each post 43 has a forwardly opening threaded socket 44 which aligns with one of the eyes 26A. Screws 42 threadedly engage the eyes 26A to securely hold “C” bracket arm 22A against the front ends of posts 43.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 10 and 14, all structures identified in FIG. 14 by a reference numeral having a suffix “B” are configured substantially identically with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 10. In the FIG. 14 configuration, the column of “L” bracket 37B is configured as a wall or flange 50 which extends continuously about or loops around the outer surface 12B of the second ballistic panel 10B. In the FIG. 14 configuration, a series of helically threaded sockets 52 extend rearwardly into the wall configured column 50, such sockets opening forwardly and aligning with eyes 26B. Screws 54 extend rearwardly through eyes 26B to engage with threaded sockets 52. While the “L” bracket's column 37B is suitably configured as a continuous wall 50, the plurality of lugs configuration of FIG. 10 and the plurality of posts configuration of FIG. 13 are preferred for purposes of weight reduction.

While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications to the structure, arrangement, portions, components, and method steps of the invention without departing from those principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with the appended claims.